Gay Marriage Plans: Cameron Could Face 'Biggest Ever Rebellion'

17/01/2012 11:58
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Updated
31 January 2013

The Huffington Post UK

David Cameron could face his largest backbench rebellion over plans to legalise gay marriage.

While the prime minister declared at 2011’s Conservative party conference that he supported gay marriage “because” he was a Conservative, not despite it, the Independent reports up to 100 of Cameron’s backbenchers could oppose plans to legalise homosexual marriage.

However, MPs will be offered a free vote, as with traditional conscience issues in the House of Commons. But it is feared a revolt against the plans could harm the Conservative party’s modernising credentials.

Head of gay rights organisation Stonewall Ben Summerskill accused the party of "old-fashioned homophobia" in opposing the plans.